256. Isadora asks: What if stores could get up and walk around? (w/ Kevin Swanstrom)

Our guest, actor, writer, and improviser Kevin Swanstrom helps Mr. Eric tell a totally improvised story. Will Buckaroo’s Everything Store have a successful first day, or will they have to literally chase down customers on their extra long legs?

Our Guest, Kevin Swantstrom!

Lessons include: If you only ever give things away, you’ll have nothing left before you know it! A good helper knows they can’t do it all alone.

Grownups, you can check out our guest Kevin Swanstrom on IMDB to see what he’s been up to. 

Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, a better chance of having your question answered, and more! patreon.com/whatifworld

Our character artwork is by Ana Stretcu with graphic design by Miss Lynn. See it and other great art by Ana at our merch store, the Imaginarium! whatifworld.threadless.com

Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen: link.chtbl.com/whatifworld. Share questions or artwork with a grownup's help via twitter @whatifworldpod, fb & insta @whatifworldpodcast, email whatifworldpodcast@gmail.com, or snail mail:

What If World (or Mr. Eric)

P.O. Box 4905

Panorama City, CA 91412

What If World is made by Eric and Karen O'Keeffe. A big thanks to our associate producer Miss Lynn. Our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe and our theme song is by Craig Martinson.

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255. Kate asks: What if it rained music and butterflies?

Scully the Squid and Rola Rabbit get invited to a Back-to-School Dance! Can an underwater creature enjoy a land-lubber dance? Maybe if DJ Abacus picks out the right tunes…

Lessons include: Dances and loud music can make some people uncomfortable; being accommodating means paying attention to other people’s needs.

This episode is brought to you by Caraway. They design non-toxic ceramic-coated home goods that have raised the standards of what you cook and bake with. Discover Caraway cookware and bakeware. Visit Carawayhome.com/WHATIF or use the code WHATIF at checkout for 10% off.

Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, a better chance of having your question answered, and more! patreon.com/whatifworld

Our Scully and Abacus artwork is by Ana Stretcu with graphic design by Lynn Hickernell. See other great art by Ana at our merch store, the Imaginarium! whatifworld.threadless.com

Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen: link.chtbl.com/whatifworld. Share questions or artwork with a grownup's help via twitter @whatifworldpod, fb & insta @whatifworldpodcast, email whatifworldpodcast@gmail.com, or snail mail:

What If World (or Mr. Eric)

P.O. Box 4905

Panorama City, CA 91412

What If World is made by Eric and Karen O'Keeffe. A big thanks to our associate producer Miss Lynn. Our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe and our theme song is by Craig Martinson.

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20. Pearson asks: What if a ferret ate a cookie in an orchestra?

Obsidian the Cat and Ferrivarius the Ferret are musicians who can’t get along. Maybe it’s because they both have such villainous voices. Can a shared love of cookies finally get these two rascals to see eye-to-eye?

This episode originally aired February 27th, 2017.

Listen to every story ad-free on Patreon!

This episode is brought to you by KiwiCo! Enjoy fun, affordable, and educational activities for kids of all ages shipped straight to you every month. Get 50% off your first month plus FREE shipping on ANY crate line with code WHATIF at kiwico.com.

This episode features Miss Lynn’s song, Gingerbread Mouse, from her album, Still Learning. You can get all of Miss Lynn’s music at misslynn.com.

Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen: link.chtbl.com/whatifworld. 

What If World is made by Eric and Karen O'Keeffe. A big thanks to our associate producer Miss Lynn. Our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe and our theme song is by Craig Martinson. Our episode artwork is by Eric O’Keeffe.

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254. Rose asks: What if Mr. Eric got eaten by a Venus Fly Trap? (w/ Kesler Talbot from "Lost Ollie"))

Our young guest this week is Kesler Talbot, one of the stars of the new Netflix series, Lost Ollie. Can he help Fred narrate this story, or will he have to intervene in order to save Mr. Eric?

See Kesler Talbot on the new Netflix series, Lost Ollie!

Lessons include: The less control we have, the more stress we feel; a little treat can help with sudden stress, but we've got to enjoy all things in moderation

Lost Ollie is an epic adventure about a lost toy who braves the many dangers of childhood as he searches the countryside to reunite with the boy who lost him; and the story of the boy who lost more than a best friend. The four-part limited series was inspired by the book Ollie’s Odyssey by renowned author and illustrator William Joyce. Lost Ollie finds his way home to Netflix on August 24th.

Kesler Talbot is a regular kid just like you who grew up with parents who are actors. He did his first commercial at the age of 4 and has gone on to appear on some popular TV shows that have filmed in his hometown of Vancouver in Canada. He first appeared in a Hallmark Christmas movie at the age of 9 and went on to film Lost Ollie later that year working with puppets, actors, vocal artists and the director of one of his favorite shows, Into the Spiderverse. Now, Kesler is more than a little excited to be making a guest appearance on his favorite podcast, What If World!

Our special guest, Kesler Talbot!

Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, a better chance of having your question answered, and more! patreon.com/whatifworld

Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen: link.chtbl.com/whatifworld. 

What If World is made by Eric and Karen O'Keeffe. A big thanks to our associate producer Miss Lynn. Our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe and our theme song is by Craig Martinson. Our episode artwork is by Miss Lynn.

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253. What if a dog tooth became a house?

Make way for a true Monarch among butterflies as she tries to find a home for her great big family to live in the city. Can Peter the Realtor help?

Lessons include: getting older means new freedoms and new responsibilities; growing cities need shared green spaces; frisbee golf is a great alternative to golf if want to play a challenging game at a city park

This episode is sponsored by Outschool. Enroll in a fun, flexible learning experience with over 140K online classes and camps for every kid and any interest. Head to outschool.com/whatif and use code whatif to save fifteen dollars on your child’s first class.

Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, a better chance of having your question answered, and more! patreon.com/whatifworld

Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen: link.chtbl.com/whatifworld. Share questions or artwork with a grownup's help via twitter @whatifworldpod, fb & insta @whatifworldpodcast, email whatifworldpodcast@gmail.com, or snail mail:

What If World (or Mr. Eric)

P.O. Box 4905

Panorama City, CA 91412

What If World is made by Eric and Karen O'Keeffe. A big thanks to our associate producer Miss Lynn. Our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe and our theme song is by Craig Martinson. Our episode artwork is by Miss Lynn.

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252. What if cat hairballs turned into lion monsters?

How does JFKat end up leading a team of giant hairballs to the Little League championships? Presumably, it involves lots of naps…

Lessons include: winning without work doesn’t help us grow; healthy competition can teach resilience and cooperation

This episode is sponsored in part by Caraway. They design non-toxic ceramic-coated home goods that have raised the standards of what you cook and bake with. Discover Caraway cookware and bakeware. Visit Carawayhome.com/WHATIF or use the code WHATIF at checkout for 10% off.

Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, a better chance of having your question answered, and more! patreon.com/whatifworld

Our Fred and JFKat artwork is by Ana Stretcu with graphic design by Lynn Hickernell. See other great art by Ana at our merch store, the Imaginarium! whatifworld.threadless.com

Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen: link.chtbl.com/whatifworld.

What If World is made by Eric and Karen O'Keeffe. A big thanks to our associate producer Miss Lynn. Our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe and our theme song is by Craig Martinson.

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Mary Had a Little Yes And (Dorktales Storytime #51)

We're so happy to be bringing you a story that Mr. Eric told along with our friend Jonathan Cormur on his podcast, Dorktales Storytime. Normally, we replay an old favorite once a month, so I hope you all enjoy this rare treat!

Dorktales Storytime, hosted by voice actor Jonathan Cormur, is a podcast featuring slightly wacky and very geeky retellings of classic fairy tales with social-emotional lessons and the untold stories about the hidden heroes of history.

This episode is brought to you by KiwiCo! Enjoy fun, affordable, and educational activities for kids of all ages shipped straight to you every month. Get 50% off your first month plus FREE shipping on ANY crate line with code WHATIF at kiwico.com.

The Story:

It’s the perfect day for pure play! Sherlock Nettlesbee, the great deducing squirrel detective, joins Jonathan and Mr. Redge in an afternoon of imagination and good old-fashioned make believe. When their cloud gazing doesn’t cut it, Sherlock declares that “the Improv Game is afoot!” Can the trio find inspiration from Mary and her little lamb, Lula? Yes and…they’re sure to find a whole-lotta playful, floofy fun everywhere they go!

PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: This story is about making time for imaginary play! Improvisation, or improv, is when you make up a story, or a scene, or a little bit of music on the spot. The ‘Yes And’ game is when you listen to another person in your improv scene and agree with what they are saying—that’s the ‘yes’ part—and you use your own ideas to build on their thoughts—that’s the ‘and’ part. It’s entertaining and very fun, plus it also encourages listening skills, collaboration and cooperation.

Go to the episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/mary-had-a-little-yes-and

Visit the Dorktales Storytime Podcast website: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktales-storytime-podcast/

CREDITS: Today’s story was written by Amy Thompson, and edited by Molly Murphy. Eric O’Keeffe voiced Sherlock Nettlesbee and created the Mary and Lula story with Jonathan Cormur. Jonathan and Mr. Redge were performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings.

And don’t forget to check out the final episode of the Good Words Podcast by our very own, Miss Lynn: goodwordspodcast.libsyn.com

What If World is made by Eric and Karen O'Keeffe. A big thanks to our associate producer Miss Lynn. Our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe and our theme song is by Craig Martinson.

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251. Abacus’s Day Off

With the Observatorium closed for the summer, Abacus wants nothing more than to get out into his garden. Of course, sugar rain, cake clouds, and time traveling heroes aren’t going to make it easy on him.

Lessons include: We all need time to tend our own gardens (AKA take care of ourselves); a good friend will respect your boundaries.

Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, a better chance of having your question answered, and more! patreon.com/whatifworld

Our Abacus artwork is by Ana Stretcu with graphic design by Miss Lynn. See it and other great art by Ana at our merch store, the Imaginarium! whatifworld.threadless.com

Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen: link.chtbl.com/whatifworld. Share questions or artwork with a grownup's help via twitter @whatifworldpod, fb & insta @whatifworldpodcast, email whatifworldpodcast@gmail.com, or snail mail:

What If World (or Mr. Eric)

P.O. Box 4905

Panorama City, CA 91412

What If World is made by Eric and Karen O'Keeffe. A big thanks to our associate producer Miss Lynn. Our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe and our theme song is by Craig Martinson.

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250. What if cats sneezed out bunny rabbits? (with Porter Mason)

JFKat wants to make a comic strip, so naturally he goes to the home of comic artist Porter Mason. Porter is a wonderful artist, improviser, and parent, but will he be able to handle JFKat’s bunny-branded allergies?

Lessons include: creativity comes in many forms; group projects take a lot of teamwork and listening (and sometimes a lot of messes).

Check out Porter Mason at rooniecomics.com for kid-friendly comic strips and great coloring pages! The Roonie the Rabbit comic is beautiful and hilarious, and is intended to help us focus on handling feelings both big and small.

Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen: link.chtbl.com/whatifworld. 

What If World is made by Eric and Karen O'Keeffe. A big thanks to our associate producer Miss Lynn. Our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe and our theme song is by Craig Martinson. This week’s story art is by Porter Mason of course! 

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249. What if dogs lived in hairbrush trees?

Zach and Zizi find a rare hair brush pine, and they set out to find the fabled cloud dogs who are said to live at the top. Will they make it to the top? Can they stay safe climbing one of the tallest trees in What If World? We’ll see!

Lessons include: When working toward a goal, it’s okay to reassess as you go. Ask yourself (1.) if it’s important, (2.) if it’s achievable, and (3.) how you feel about it.

Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, a better chance of having your question answered, and more! patreon.com/whatifworld

Subscribe to What If World wherever you listen: link.chtbl.com/whatifworld. Share questions or artwork with a grownup's help via twitter @whatifworldpod, fb & insta @whatifworldpodcast, email whatifworldpodcast@gmail.com, or snail mail:

What If World (or Mr. Eric)

P.O. Box 4905

Panorama City, CA 91412

What If World is made by Eric and Karen O'Keeffe. A big thanks to our associate producer Miss Lynn. Our podcast art is by Jason O’Keefe and our theme song is by Craig Martinson.

Advertise on What If World